"BS: Initially it was all about money. We have nothing to gain from duplicity in accounting. We welcome audits. I don't think we've ever been sued by anybody because we've always settled." Well... duh! That's why they haven't been sued (completed at least)... not because they were innocent!

My internal source has informed me that not only will Jackson be directing but all litigation will be DROPPED. Entertainment Weekly stopped short of saying that. It all hinges on continued good faith discussions and an announcement could be coming soon.

Hanging over the dispute like fog on the Shire is a planned film version of ‘The Hobbit,’ which New Line and millions of movie fans would love to see Jackson direct. If the sanction shifts momentum in the case, it could help facilitate a settlement (relations between the parties are rumored to have warmed recently). However, the stakes are so high and both sides have already spent millions litigating the case, so the January trial date still seems likely. And let’s not forget that this lawsuit concerns only the first ‘Rings’ film. Any settlement probably would have to cover Jackson’s identical claims on the other two blockbusters, meaning that the dispute, like that ending sequence in ‘Return of the King,’ could keep going and going. For Gondor!

completely dropped and there is no further legals? ... or do you mean a settlement of some source? That may mean that they will be able to look at the books and go no further, but I dont think its that simple. Theres money involved

so, I cant see that ... Why would the entire lawsuit be dropped?

I could see there being a commitment made and there are things in the works ... I wish I could see the EW article ... Maybe the script has been put in the hands of the Jackson/Walsh/Boyce camp, but I still dont get this as smooth sailing. The Road Goes Ever On and On ... Happy 70th Birthday to The Hobbit!!

Tolkien was a Capricorn! ..*sing & sway* "All we are saying ..Is Give Pete A Chance" ..."Your friends are with you Peter" Let the Hobbit Happen!!!

Dropped as in no more money exchanged on prior movies, only "The Hobbit"
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My original post had a link to my blog which is a big no-no apparently even when it is bang-on topic. My blog goes further into the reasoning behind it. The gist of it is that Jackson will receive more than a usual share of the percentage gross than what is normally accepted in the industry for a director of his stature. Remains to be seen of course, but it sounds reasonable.

Considering how much money the studios stand to make from 'The Hobbit', i'm sure even a bump in pay to PJ will still leave them with quite a profit.

It's really been fascinating to see how this has all been played out over the past few years. I don't claim to know much about the movie industry, but it's like reading a soap opera! Sincerely, deej - The Artist Formerly Known as djdeathskiss

behind the scenes, there's more to this than the money issue as far as Peter goes. He had a point to make on behalf of everyone (including some of the players from his films) to make sure NL comes clean in their dealings. I'll bet stuff's going on and will be going on in the future that will keep this sort of thing from happening again... at least if Mr. Jackson's involved.

I believe that too gramma ... hand on your heart commitment stuff here ... principle and integrity ... and really, it seems to me what started out as a 'request' has been like a small pebble dropped in a large pond ... The money could be well spent in the southern hemisphere though and another point totally maybe unrelated ... the expended exchange rate for US dollars they are predicting to come very close to getting better ... which means that this could become 'very' expensive ... a near $ for $ ... which it wasnt before .... I find that interesting as well ... There maybe more factors to get this happening - but the money is playing out its own story ... and having impacts - or prescriptive impacts which could see this as a timing issue as well. The current financial situations are effecting alot of big business ... The Road Goes Ever On and On ... Happy 70th Birthday to The Hobbit!!

Tolkien was a Capricorn! ..*sing & sway* "All we are saying ..Is Give Pete A Chance" ..."Your friends are with you Peter" Let the Hobbit Happen!!!

Exactly the way I see it - and a way to sell a lot of magazines {NT}
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No wonder all writers want to direct: one still has to put up with a load of nonsense, but even if wearing two hats (writer and director), there is one under which one is not called a thief and then raped - David Mamet

aren't 'we' (as a community) part of that process and evolution of the Hobbit coming to being, and some of the drive behind whats being put out there?

... and the buyers of the mags ...

I think it may bring a few more people back to TORN and other sites just to see whats happening - like a bit of a nudge ... to see Gollum on the cover brings it all back to those that have been lost from here maybe ... it also keeps the Hobbit up front ..

and Shaye did mention he was looking into the publicity side of things ... promotion and such .... this is a good measuring stick .. the build-up is looking well exectuted at the moment ... I think this is just the first of many! Im wondering how many magazines will have something on the covers soon ...

It would be interesting to see what the sales figures are like, and what interest it generates ...

I believe its not only projection of the Hobbit movies success, but the cyber gaming market the Hobbit has to conquer and live up to as well ... theres all sorts of target markets to consider now ... the movie is the catalyst for such huge assocaited revenues ...

Woops ... off on a tangent again ...

But your thread title - I agree!!! The Road Goes Ever On and On ... Happy 70th Birthday to The Hobbit!!

Tolkien was a Capricorn! ..*sing & sway* "All we are saying ..Is Give Pete A Chance" ..."Your friends are with you Peter" Let the Hobbit Happen!!!

Is Bob Shaye swayed? As posted earlier, I believe Peter Jackson will soon be announced as the director of "The Hobbit". I have heard from an internal source that a very generous percentage sharing deal with New Line is in the works concurrently with ongoing litigation between the two parties. Further, and here is the kicker: In return for the deal, the litigation that is pending between Jackson and New Line will be withdrawn. It all hinges on continued good faith dialogue between everyone involved.

Entertainment Weekly echoes my findings as well although they stop short of saying the litigation will be dropped. "There has been a détente,” says one insider. There is now the beginning of a discourse between Peter Jackson and New Line that’s running parallel to the litigation proceedings."

I suspect that the deal will be even more lucrative than what is expected for someone of Peter Jackson's stature to help him forget about the litigation. Hey whatever works. Just. Get. Him. Directing.

In particular, no source and no facts other than speculation, which we all can do.

Isn't this what that nice message from Jackson some months ago said he would never do? Son of Elizabeth in Frodo's treeMarch, 2007

Nothing new? Hmmm. Last I checked no one else had the goods on the litigation being dropped which certainly opens the door toward working together amicably. I thought it was quite exciting to get that piece of information. Yes, it is not official yet. No, I will not reveal my source. Yes, it may not pan out this way. I am merely passing on information that has not been known before. Let's all hope it does. And you are correct that is a quote from my blog.

is that he's a natural deal-maker. He's focused on what he wants and, as far as I can see, he always gets there one way or another - whether it's telling New Line officials that he's sick so that he can sneakily finish filming Forgotten Silver or it's playing hardball with companies large and small that are standing in his way.

I've seen some articles in the NZ press - a few years ago now - where PJ was painted as the baddie for an action he had taken. But he got the result he wanted, and he has engendered enormous loyalty among his employees and colleagues. If anyone can get a film studio to toe the line that he draws, it's PJ. Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..." Dwarves: "Pretty rings..." Men: "Pretty rings..." Sauron: "Mine's better."

"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded b*****d with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.

My sources (and I go out on a limb to guess they are much better than yours) say that there is nothing to that rumor..and everything right now is speculation. Michael Regina Editor in Chief/Segment Producer PH: 514.947.5221 http://www.TheOneRing.net http://www.KongisKing.net http://www.TheOneLion.net http://www.gallifreyone.com